Till I Hear You Sing(Final Book)

Chapter 15- The World Still Spins.

Christine Daae

Four months later

"Happy birthday, sweetheart," I smiled, fixing Presley's hair. She smiled, running off to play with her friends. Erik came up behind me, wrapping his arms around me. "She would've been four today."

"Presley is turning four too. We have to find a way to be happy for her," he reminded me.

"I'm incredibly happy for her. I've learned to accept what is recently. I miss Harmony, yes, but I know it's going to be okay. It's been four months, Erik. I had to learn how to be happy again sometime," I explained, watching Presley.

"I am so proud of you, love," he murmured, turning me around to face him. He pressed his lips against mine, and I smiled as I pulled away too soon.

"Let's go cut the cake," I sighed.

As Presley's friends gathered around her to sing, I noticed Gustave was still on the porch, reading a book.

"Gustave, perhaps you'd like to play the piano while we sing?" I suggested.

"Yes, Mother," he mumbled, sitting at the piano. He'd acted so strange all day. I couldn't understand why.

As we sang to her, Gustave looked more angry. It was the side of him we rarely ever saw. He was much more gentle than we could've imagined him to be. I walked over to him as Erik began handing out cake.

"Gustave, darling, what's wrong? Are you ill?" I asked, sitting next to him.

"I just want to be alone," he said.

"Are you...missing Harmony?"

"Are you?"

"Of course. I'll always miss her, but we have to try to be happy, even if we're pretending. Think of it as...a play. You must smile for me today, at least for Presley," I whispered.

"Okay, Mother." For awhile, Gustave did what I asked of him. He smiled, and he responded like himself when asked questions.

When Presley's friends left, and the party was done, it all changed. Presley sat in the living room as I cleaned dishes. She played with some of the new toys she had gotten from friends, and Gustave was sitting on the couch reading.

"Gustave, do you want to play with me?" Presley asked.

"Not right now, Presley," he replied.

"But you always play with me!"

"Well, I don't want to play right now," he retorted.

"Please!"

"I said no! Leave me alone for once, will you? Play by yourself," he growled. Presley started to cry, and Erik immediately ran into the room.

"Gustave, go to your room right now," Erik ordered.

"But-"

"Now, Gustave." Gustave looked at me, but I didn't know what to say. He never acted so brusque towards anyone, let alone Presley. He ran to his room, slamming the door behind him. He didn't come out the rest of the day, nor did he let anyone in.

     As hard as I tried to leave him alone, I couldn't. I slowly made my way up to his room, hoping he'd let me in. I knocked gently, calling out for him. He didn't respond.

    "Gustave, darling, don't be so cross," I whispered. "Your father was upset, that's all. Nobody's mad at you. Come out."

     "Are you sure?" He asked, peeking out of his door.